Sturridge named on Liverpool bench for clash against Chelsea

ESPN staff

April 27, 2014

Daniel Sturridge has been named on the Liverpool bench for the Premier League clash against Chelsea at Anfield.

The England international missed the 3-2 victory over Norwich City last weekend with a hamstring problem and hoped to start against his former club, but the Premier League's second top scorer with 20 goals has not been risked by manager Brendan Rodgers.

Liverpool have won their last 11 games and have the opportunity to go eight points clear of second-placed Chelsea with two games remaining. Rodgers' side require seven points to secure their first league title in 24 years.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho had threatened to play a weakened side in order to concentrate on their Champions League semi-final clash against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

The Portuguese has made seven changes to the side which drew 0-0 with Atletico in the first leg, with 20-year-old Tomas Kalas making his Premier League debut at centre-back alongside Branislav Ivanovic and Frank Lampard captaining the side.